News / Liability warning to forwarders as they take more control of supply chains

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Freight forwarders that have taken over container supply chain management for blue-chip shippers could face a massive increase in liabilities their existing insurance policies may not cover.

Matthew Wilmhurst, an associate at UK law firm Holman Fenwick Willan, told the JOC’s Container Trade Europe event in Hamburg last week that changes in the way western retailers subcontract their supply chains, combined with the advent of ultra-large container vessels and vessel-sharing agreements between lines, has left many forwarders dangerously exposed.

“The change in ...